IAI Super Heron

2014 MODERN AIRCRAFT DRONE TECHNOLOGY

• 1 History of IAI Superheron
• 2 IAI Super Heron Specification
  • 2.1 Basic
  • 2.2 Production
  • 2.3 Roles
  • 2.4 Dimensions
  • 2.5 Weight
  • 2.6 Performance
  • 2.7 Performance
  • 2.8 Armor
  • 2.9 Changes

History of IAI Superheron

At the 2014 Singapore Air Show, Israel Aerospace Industries introduced the all-new Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Super Heron to complement its existing globally popular Heron range of long-range reconnaissance aircraft. The original Heron, which first flew in 1994, falls into the mid-altitude, long-endurance classification, typically powered by a twin-blade thruster engine configuration, and has served in countries such as Israel, India, Germany, Brazil and Turkey. The Super Heron is a larger aircraft known as the "Super Tactical" UAS.

Its main tasks are reconnaissance and data collection, passing information to ground commanders.

With its larger size, the Super Heron can compete with comparable sized drones on the world market that can carry larger internal mission payloads. It is equipped with the new M-19HD series photoelectric turret in the chin mount. The fuselage features a bulbous nose and rear-mounted engines, giving it a Global Eagle-like appearance. A Fiat-inspired 200-horsepower "heavy-fuel" engine from Italian group Diesel Jet is also on offer, as well as a lower-powered "light-fuel" alternative that uses gasoline.

The engine drives the rear propeller blade arrangement in the usual thruster configuration. The wingspan is 56 feet and the aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of approximately 3,200 pounds.

The wings also feature efficiency-oriented winglets, a growing trend in the military and commercial aircraft business. The rear engine is spanned by a double boom rear configuration. The aircraft uses a fully retractable wheeled landing gear with two main legs and one front leg.

All in all, Super Heron has a top speed of 173 mph, a service cap of up to 30,000 feet, and a 45-hour mission duration window. Its payload capacity is modular, allowing different mission suites to be added depending on the operator's needs.

Standard products include high-definition video, signals intelligence (SIGINT) land and marine radar systems. The Super Heron is equipped with a Ground Control Station (GCS), which is operated by the crew through a more secure communication channel.

IAI Super Heron Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes